X-shaped hot top corner wedge

ABSTRACT

The tapered corner wedge made of a sheet metal material is utilized to press refractory panels into tight abutting engagement with the walls of an ingot mold or the like. The corner wedge cooperates with the refractory panels and provides a spring action which urges the panels against the walls of the ingot mold. The corner wedge is made of two pieces of sheet metal which are welded together. Each of the pieces has a tapered configuration and when welded together, provides a generally Xshaped cross section. The legs of the X-shaped configuration form flanges which engage corner portions of adjacent refractory panels.

United States Patent [1 Dowidchuk et al.

[4 1 Dec. 24, 1974 [54} X-SHAPED HOT TOP CORNER WEDGE [75] Inventors: George Dowidchuk, Novelty; James R. Stockham, Lakewood, both of Ohio [73] Assignee: Oglebay Norton Company,

Cleveland, Ohio [22] Filed: June 28, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 374,365

[52] US. Cl. 249/197, 249/202 [51] Int. Cl B22d 7/10 [58] Field of Search 249/106, 197-202 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,749,350 7/1973 Atkinson 249/202 X Primary ExaminerRobert D. Baldwin [57 ABSTRACT The tapered corner wedge made of a sheet metal material is utilized to press refractory panels into tight abutting engagement with the walls of an ingot mold or the like. The corner wedge cooperates with the refractory panels and provides a spring action which urges the panels against the walls of the'ingot mold. The comer wedge is made of two pieces of sheet metal which are welded together. Each of the pieces has a tapered configuration and when welded together, provides a generally X-shaped cross section. The legs of the X-shaped configuration form flanges which engage comer portions of adjacent refractory panels.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] DEE 241974 SdiEI 2 BF 2 X-SHAPED HOT TOP CORNER WEDGE Background of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in hot tops, and particularly relates to an improved corner wedge for retaining refractory panel members in tight abutting engagement with the surfaces of a mold or the like in which the refractory panels are inserted.

Corner wedges for applying a force to press refractory panels against the surface of an ingot mold or the like are known. US. Pat. No. 3,421,731 discloses a corner wedge construction for performing this function. In that patent, the corner wedge is located in a groove which must be formed on the face of the refractory panel to receive the wedge. Also, refractory corner panels have been utilized which have been wedgeshaped to perform a similar function.

Typical patents known to applicant which disclose corner panel structures other than US. Pat. No. 3,421,731 are US. Pats. No. 2,822,591, No. 3,216,688, and No. 2,046,043.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides for a new and improved hot top structure, and particularly a new and improved corner wedge for pressing refractory panels into tight abutting engagement with the surface of an ingot mold in which the refractory panels are positioned. The present structure does not rely on any grooves or the like being formed in the surface of the refractory panels. In addition, the present structure provides a substantial spring force which acts to resiliently press the panels against the surface of the mold. This spring action enables the proper cooperation to be obtained between the wedge members and panels, even though broad manufacturing tolerances are utilized during fabrication of the wedges, and even though mold installations may vary in dimension.

In essence, the present invention comprises a comer wedge which is made of a sheet metal material. The corner wedge is made of two sheet metal parts which are welded together. Each of the parts is axially tapered and, when welded together, the parts form a generally X-shaped corner wedge structure. Each of the parts has a web or base portion with flanges projecting angularly therefrom. When the parts are welded together, the web portions are welded and the flanges form the legs of the X-shape. The flanges cooperate with the edges of the adjacent panels and act to force the panels laterally and rearwardly against the surface of the mold. When driven between adjacent panels, the web portions tend to separate and apply the forces to the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following detailed description thereof made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a hot top assembly utilizing the corner wedges of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view taken generally along FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a corner wedge embodied in the mold of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view taken generally along the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view of one portion of the comer wedge of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view showing on an enlarged scale the corner wedge in operative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As noted hereinabove, the present invention provides a new and improved hot top assembly, and particularly a new and improved comer wedge for wedging refractory panels against a mold wall or casing in which the panels are utilized. The corner wedge embodying the present invention may be utilized in a variety of different hot top environments, and may be used with panels disposed in an ingot mold or in a metallic casing adapted to he associated with the mold. For purposes of example only, the preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed as applied to a hot top structure which is associated with an ingot mold 10, as shown in FIG. 1.

The ingot mold 10 may be of any conventional construction, and at the upper end of the ingot mold a refractory hot top assembly is provided so as to maintain a molten mass of metal in the upper end of the ingot mold to feed the shrinkage cavity in the mold as the molten metal which is poured into the mold cools. The hot top assembly includes a plurality of refractory panels 11, 12, 13 and 14, all having the same general configuration illustrated in FIG. 2.

The refractory panels l1l4 may be made of any conventional or known refractory material composition and such will not be described herein in detail. In general, the panels are of refractory material and provide the insulating barrier so as to maintain the molten the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, illustrating the configuration of a refractory panel used in the hot top assembly of FIG.

mass of metal in the upper end of the ingot mold to provide for feeding of molten metal to the shrinkage cavity in the mold as the metal in the mold cools.

The refractory panels 11-14 each include a front major surface 20 which faces into a rectangular metal receiving cavity at the upper end of the mold and a rear major surface 21 which is disposed in a tight abutting engagement with the wall of the mold. The major surfaces 20, 21 are interconnected by minor or side edge surfaces 22, 23. The minor surfaces 22, 23 form equal angles, generally designated A in FIG. 1, with the front surface 20. The angle A is an obtuse angle, although it may be an acute angle or a right angle, insofar as the present invention is concerned.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the panels are tapered, that is, the upper edge of the panels which is generally designated 25 is narrower than the lower edge which is generally designated 26. This, of course, means that the side surfaces 22, 23 are tapered relative to the mold.

When initially positioned in the mold 10, it is conventional to support the panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 in position with a suitable hanger or the like. The particular hanger construction forms no part of the present invention and will not be described herein. However, it should be clear that when the panels 11-14 are originally positioned in the mold, a suitable hanger which is associated with the refractory panels is utilized to support the panels in proper position in the ingot mold.

After the panels 1l-14are properly supported in position in the ingot mold, it is necessary to hold the panels against the inner side surfaces of the ingot mold so that the rear major surfaces 21 of the panels tightly engage the inner surfaces of the mold to prevent molten metal from creeping up between the panels and the ingot mold. This creepage of the molten metal results in a defective or ineffective heat-insulating barrier and can detrimentally affect the formation of an ingot.

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of identical corner wedge structures 30 are utilized to press the rear surfaces 21 of the refractory panels 1 1-14 against the inner side surfaces of the mold 10. In addition to pressing the rear surfaces 21 of the panels 11-14 against the inside surfaces of the mold, the corner wedge structures 30 wedgingly lock the panels 11-14 against movement relative to each other. To accomplish this, the corner structures 30 are effective to apply force components against the major or front surfaces 21 of the panels and against minor or side surfaces 22, 23 of the panels.

Each of the corner wedge structures 30 shown in FIGS. 3-5 comprises a sheet metal assembly which is axially tapered and has a generally X-shaped crosssectional configuration. A corner wedge structure 30 is comprised of a pair of generally U-shaped sheet metal members, one of which is designated 31 and the other designated 32. Each of the sheet metal parts 31, 32 has a base or web portion 31a, 32a, (FIG. 6) respectively. The base portions 31a, 32a, are welded together at a plurality of locations which are designated 35 in FIG. 3. The base portions 31a, 32a are axially tapered so that they extend downwardly from a relatively large top edge portion 38 (FIGS. 3 and 4) to a relatively small bottom edge portion 39. This tapering is best seen in FIG. 3 where the lines X and Y designate the boundaries of the base portions 31a, 32a, and it is clear that the lines X and Y converge as they extend downwardly from the upper edge 38 of the wedge to the lower edge 39 thereof.

Each of the generally U-shaped sheet metal members 31, 32 is provided with flanges which diverge away from each other. The flanges on the member 31 are designated 40 and 41 and are best shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the flanges on the member 32 are designated 42 and 43, respectively. The pair of flanges 40, 42 of the interconnected members 31 and 32 forms an angle B therebetween which is approximately equal to the angle A as shown in FIG. 1. Of course, manufacturing tolerances could result in their angles being unequal. The opposite pair of flanges 41, 43 also define an angle B, as shown.

The corner wedges 30 are utilized effectively to force the adjacent panels 11-14 into a tight abutting engagement with the inner side surfaces of the mold and also to wedgingly interlock the adjacent panels 11-14 to provide a complete hot top structure which is unitarily held together in the mold in a very rigid and secure manner. In order to perform this function, when the panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 have been positioned in the ingot mold, the corner wedges 30 are then driven into position to force each of the panels into proper cooperating relationship with the ingot mold and with the adjacent panels.

As the comer wedges are driven between the panels, the flanges engage the front face and side faces of the panels. As the corner wedges are driven, the web portions 31a, 32a tend to separate, as best shown in FIG. 7, and can separate clue to the resilient nature thereof. As a result, the web portions along with the cooperating flanges apply a force to the panels, acting to move the panels against the wall of the mold, as well as a force acting to move the panels or force the panels laterally along the wall, as indicated by the arrows A and B in FIG. 7. In fact, as shown in exaggerated condition in FIG. 7, the web portions 31a, 32a may separate to a condition where the flanges engage the panels at a bearing point rather than having full surface contact therewith. It should be clear, however, that the flanges 40, 41 are applying a force to the panels, urging the panels against the wall of the mold, which force is designated B, and that the flanges 42, 43 are applying a force against the side edge surfaces of the panels tending to urge the panels laterally along the wall and into engagement with either an adjacent panel or, as shown in FIG. 1, the cooperating corner wedge structure.

The result of the action of the corner wedge is that the panels are urged into a tight abutting engagement with the mold wall and thereby prevent molten metal from creeping between the rear surfaces 21 of the panels and the inner surface of the mold. In addition, the construction is such that there is a minimum tendency for the corner wedges to slip out of cooperative engagement with the panels due to the interlocking between the corner wedges and the panels.

Although only the gripping action between the corner wedge structure 30a and the refractory panel 14 has been extensively described herein, it should be understood that the other pairs of flanges on the corner wedge structures cooperate with the other refractory panels in much the same manner. It should also be understood that the resilient deflection of the base or web portions of the corner wedge structure provides that the panels will be firmly interlocked against movement relative to each other and the walls in the mold 10.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in a hot top including a plurality of preformed elongated refractory panels for location within a casing, at least one of said panels having a front surface facing the interior of the casing and a rear surface for engaging a wall thereof and side edge surfaces interconnecting the front and rear surfaces, said panel being wedge shaped, and means for wedging the panels into tight abutting engagement with the wall of said casing, said means comprising at least one corner wedge made of a sheet metal material and having a tapered configuration, said corner wedge comprising a pair of spring members secured together to be resiliently deflectable away from each other, one of said pair of spring members having portions which engage, respectively, adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and the other of said pair of spring members having portions which engage, respectively, the front surfaces of adjacent ones of said panels.

2. An apparatus for use in a hot top having adjacent refractory panels which engage angularly disposed side walls of an ingot mold or casing defining a cavity for receiving molten metal and which panels have a front surface facing the interior of the casing, a rear surface engaging a wall thereof and side edge surfaces interconnecting the front and rear surfaces, said apparatus comprising wedge means for engaging the front surfaces of the panels and adjacent side edge surfaces to press the panels into tight abutting engagement with the side walls, said wedge means comprising an elongated corner wedge member made of a pair of resiliently deflectable sheet metal members one of said members having first and second end portions for respectively engaging adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and the other of said members having third and fourth end portions for respectively engaging the front faces of said panels, said sheet metal members being secured together at a location between said panels to enable both of said members to be resiliently deflected apart, one from the other, by forces applied to the associated end portions of said members by said refractory panels.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second end portions comprise first and second flanges for engaging adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and said third and fourth end portions comprise third and fourth flanges for engaging the front sides of adjacent panels.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said side edge surfaces of said adjacent panels are convergmg.

5. An apparatus for use in a hot top having adjacent refractory panels which engage angularly disposed side walls of an ingot mold or casing defining a cavity for receiving molten metal and which panels have a front surface facing the interior of the casing, a rear surface engaging a wall thereof and converging side edge surfaces interconnecting the front and rear surfaces, said apparatus comprising wedge means for engaging the front surfaces of the panels and adjacent side edge surfaces to press the panels into tight abutting engagement with the side walls, said wedge means comprising an elongated comer wedge member made of a pair of sheet metal members which extend between said panels and which are secured together at a location between the panels, one of said members having first and second flanges for respectively engaging adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and the other of said members having third and fourth flanges for respectively engaging front faces of said panels, a first resiliently deflectable base portion disposed intermediate said first and second flanges, a second resiliently deflectable base portion disposed intermediate said third and fourth flanges, and connector means for interconnecting said first and second base portions and for enabling said first and second base portions to be resiliently deflected apart under the influence of forces applied to said flanges by the refractory panels.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second flanges and said first base portion are integrally formed from a first piece of sheet metal and said third and fourth flanges and said second base portion are integrally formed from a second piece of sheet metal which is connected with said first piece of sheet metal by said connector means.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and third flanges have angularly disposed inner surfaces which define an angle which is substantially equal to the angle included between the front and side edge surfaces of the refractory panel engaged thereby. 

1. Apparatus for use in a hot top including a plurality of preformed elongated refractory panels for location within a casing, at least one of said panels having a front surface facing the interior of the casing and a rear surface for engaging a wall thereof and side edge surfaces interconnecting the front and rear surfaces, said panel being wedge shaped, and means for wedging the panels into tight abutting engagement with the wall of said casing, said means comprising at least one corner wedge made of a sheet metal material and having a tapered configuration, said corner wedge comprising a pair of spring members secured together to be resiliently deflectable away from each other, one of said pair of spring members having portions which engage, respectively, adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and the other of said pair of spring members having portions which engage, respectively, the front surfaces of adjacent ones of said panels.
 2. An apparatus for use in a hot top having adjacent refractory panels which engage angularly disposed side walls of an ingot mold or casing defining a cavity for receiving molten metal and which panels have a front surface facing the interior of the casing, a rear surface engaging a wall thereof and side edge surfaces interconnecting the front and rear surfaces, said apparatus comprising wedge means for engaging the front surfaces of the panels and adjacent side edge surfaces to press the panels into tight abutting engagement with the side walls, said wedge means comprising an elongated corner wedge member made of a pair of resiliently deflectable sheet metal members one of said members having first and second end portions for respectively engaging adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and the other of said members having third and fourth end portions for respectively engaging the front faces of said panels, said sheet metal members being secured together at a location between said panels to enable both of said members to be resiliently deflected apart, one from the other, by forces applied to the associated end portions of said members by said refractory panels.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second end portions comprise first and second flanges for engaging adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and said third and fourth end portions comprise third and fourth flanges for engaging the front sides of adjacent panels.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said side edge surfaces of said adjacent panels are converging.
 5. An apparatus for use in a hot top having adjacent refractory panels which engage angularly disposed side walls of an ingot mold or casing defining a cavity for receiving molten metal and which panels have a front surface facing the interior of the casing, a rear surface engaging a wall thereof and converging side edge surfaces interconnecting the front and rear surfaces, said apparatus comprising wedge means for engaging the front surfaces of the panels and adjacent side edge surfaces to press the panels into tight abutting engagement with the side walls, said wedge means comprising an elongated corner wedge member made of a pair of sheet metal members which extend between said panels and which are secured together at a location between the panels, one of said members having first and second flanges for respectively engaging adjacent side edge surfaces of said panels and the other of said members having third and fourth flanges for respectively engaging front faces of said panels, a first resiliently deflectable base portion disposed intermediate said first and second flanges, a second resiliently deflectable base portion disposed intermediate said third and fourth flanges, and connector means for interconnecting said first and second base portions and for enabling said first and second base portions to be resiliently deflected apart under the influence of forces applied to said flanges by the refractory panels.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second flanges and said first base portion are integrally formed from a first piece of sheet metal and said third and fourth flanges and said second base portion are integrally formed from a second piece of sheet metal which is connected with said first piece of sheet metal by said connector means.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and third flanges have angularly disposed inner surfaces which define an angle which is substantially equal to the angle included between the front and side edge surfaces of the refractory panel engaged thereby. 